the story and "tone it down" for the Sunday edition. She submitted the rewritten story, Editorials and again it was killed by her editor. (For- tunately, other newspapers outside the area carried articles on the conference, including a syndicated story by columnist George Plagns of the Newspaper Enterprise Asso- Press Blackout ciation and two others by religion editor John Dart of the Los Angeles Times.) on Criticism of the Bible This incident illustrates the fact that the media are reluctant to report on matters critical of the Bible. Editors are apprehensive about offending the sensibilities of religious people. Religious commitments are so strongly held that it often becomes difficult at FREE INQUIRY magazine are tence of Jesus and attempted to disentangle to raise any questions about the veracity of W ecommitted to the principle of free- myth from historical fact. a religion without being accused of bigotry dom of inquiry. We are especially interested We were thus surprised that only one or blasphemy. But it is not necessarily anti- in fostering public discussion of subjects that newspaper in the Detroit-Ann Arbor area, Catholic, anti-Christian, or anti-Semitic to are not adequately discussed in the mass the Detroit News, published a story on the probe the foundations of the truth claims of media. It was for this purpose that FREE conference and that the rest of the media in the major denominations, particularly when INQUIRY recently sponsored the conference the area did not report it. Reporters from these religious views can have powerful con- "Jesus in History and Myth." which brought the Detroit Free Press (which prides itself sequences for our political and social life. some twenty-three scholars, scientists, and on being a liberal newspaper) and the Ann No doubt many people find news stories philosophers to the University of Michigan Arbor News spent two days at the confer- about biblical scholarship boring. But the in Ann Arbor to discuss the issue. They came ence. But both papers failed to print stories. point is that there is a vast imbalance in the from prestigious universities in the United One reporter submitted a story to her editor media's coverage of the subject. The market- States. Canada. and Britain and included at the end of the first day of the conference. place is flooded with pro-Bible propaganda. both religious skeptics and liberal Christians It described some of the unconventional Believers have every right to express their and Jews. The conference attempted to bring views about Jesus and the Bible that were points of view, but surely the public also to light knowledge that is well known to expressed at the meeting. The next day the has a right to learn about the findings of biblical scholars, archaeologists, and other reporter was back. 1 asked her whether her scientific and scholarly researchers. Would scientists. According to Professor R. Joseph paper would run the story. She said no, that newspaper editors and other managers Hoffmann of the University of Michigan, that her editor had rejected it because it of the news were less timid about airing this conference was something of an aca- "might offend the little old ladies in Detroit." opinions crtical of the claims of powerful demic first: It objectively debated the exis- She had come back determined to rewrite religious interests.— Paul Kurz

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Summer 1985 5 ment in the case so far has, in fact, been occasioned by this challenge to Dr. Halver- son's opening remarks. Attempting to explain away Dr. Halverson's attacks on nontheists, his attorneys maintained in their Court Test brief to the court that the Senate chaplain was merely attempting "to communicate an affirmative message through prayers" by of Congressional Prayer "identifying sources of national strength in . . . biblical, historical and contemporary references," adding, as an example, a prayer by Dr. Halverson that was "inspired by pub- lic remembrances of the Holocaust." In his reply brief, Dr. Kurtz pointed out that he had no objection to reminding n a previous issue of FREE INQUIRY (Fall willing to share the podium with the Senate legislators of the Holocaust; to the contrary, 1984), we called attention to the practice and House chaplains so that a prayer by he argued, the Holocaust is a perfect exam- of the chaplains of the United States Senate them could follow or precede his own ple of the horrible consequences of religious and House of Representatives of inviting remarks. bigotry and intolerance. What was objec- members of the public to open daily sessions Since the chaplains' decision not to tionable was Dr. Halverson's exploitation of the Senate and House with brief remarks allow Dr. Kurtz the opportunity to parti- of the Holocaust as a means of making a designed to imbue the legislators with a sense cipate in the opening ceremonies was pred- vicious attack on those who do not believe of seriousness and high purpose. In particu- icated on his refusal to pray, it was argua- in God, for in his prayer on the Holocaust lar, the opening remarks of the chaplains bly unconstitutional. Therefore, after consul- (see 129 Congressional Record S 4607 [daily and their guests are often devoted to tation with Washington, D.C., attorney edition of April 14, 1983]) Dr. Halverson reminding the legislators of their moral Ronald A. Lindsay, who agreed to represent suggested that the unspeakable violation of responsibilities. Dr. Kurtz without fee, the decision was made human rights that the Holocaust represents To date, these opening remarks have to file a lawsuit challenging the exclusion of could be attributed to disbelief in God. In all taken the form of prayers. The chaplains nontheists from opening ceremonies. That that prayer, Dr. Halverson, after an allusion have invited individuals from many different, case is now pending before the U.S. District to the Holocaust, stated: "Father in Heaven, and conflicting, religious viewpoints to Court for the District of Columbia, under in a day when Godless forces would deny deliver the opening remarks, but they have the title Kurtz v. Baker, Case No. 84-2919. and destroy human rights, help us to see the never invited a nontheist. However, because (James Baker, the Secretary of the Treasury, futility in struggling to preserve them when the House and Senate chaplaincies are sup- is named as a defendant because, as indi- we deny, privately and publicly, the God ported with public funds, we believe that cated, the chaplaincies are supported by who gave them." the chaplains have an obligation not to dis- public funds.) As Dr. Kurtz emphasized in his reply, criminate in their selection of guest speakers. In the same lawsuit, Dr. Kurtz is also there is no factual basis for associating dis- If their tax-supported pulpits have been requesting the court to enjoin the Senate belief in God with the Holocaust. In fact, in opened up to theists of every conceivable chaplain, the Reverend Richard Halverson, his public speeches Hitler constantly referred sort, why should not a nontheist have the from making disparaging remarks regarding to God and invoked His help. He even por- opportunity, on at least one occasion, to nontheists, or in the alternative to prohibit trayed Nazism as a bulwark against atheism. participate in the opening ceremony? To Dr. Halverson from being compensated with Interestingly, Hitler was also a believer in exclude nontheists from the opening cere- public funds. A review of Dr. Halverson's the propriety of legislative prayer, as wit- mony of the national legislature serves to opening remarks revealed that he has unfor- nessed by the prayers he offered in the perpetuate the mistaken but widely held tunately used these remarks on a number of Reichstag. See Hitler's Speeches, vol. 1, pp. belief that religion is the basis for morality occasions as a vehicle for disparaging those 333-412 (Baynes ed. 1942). Nor was Hitler and that anyone who does not believe in a who do not believe in a deity. Specifically, unique in his theism. The 1939 census for deity is not fit to discuss moral issues. More- he has asserted that those who do not believe Germany revealed that a minuscule 1.5 per- over, the exclusion of nontheists from par- in God do not have any "concern for human cent of the German population identified ticipation in the opening ceremonies, while rights, minorities and ... people." Although themselves as "unbelievers." allowing access to theists of every conceiva- the Supreme Court has upheld the constitu- Dr. Halverson's remarks do serve one ble stripe, unmistakably allies government tionality of legislative chaplaincies, Marsh useful purpose. They reveal how widespread with religion and marks religious skeptics as v. Chambers, 103 S.Ct. 3330 (1983), it has the prejudice against nontheists really is. If second-class citizens. also indicated that there is a limit to what Dr. Halverson had suggested that Catholi- With these considerations in mind, Paul publicly funded legislative chaplains can say, cism or Lutheranism was responsible for the Kurtz, editor of FREE INQUIRY, repeatedly observing that the chaplains cannot exploit Holocaust, his tenure and/ or the public wrote to the House and Senate chaplains their prayer opportunity as a means "to funding of the chaplaincies would have been requesting the opportunity to participate in advance any one, or to disparage any other, terminated by Congress before he arrived at the opening ceremonies as a guest speaker. faith or belief." Through his repeated deni- the last word of his opening remarks. The His requests were rejected on the grounds gration of nontheists, Dr. Halverson appears fact that he apparently feels free to question that he would not offer a prayer during his to have transgressed these judicially imposed the morality of nontheists argues not only remarks. Dr. Kurtz's requests were rejected limits on his remarks. for enjoining him from making such dis- despite the fact that he stated that he was Perhaps the most interesting develop- paraging remarks in the future but also for

6 FREE INQUIRY allowing nontheists to participate in the opening ceremonies. If the chaplains and the legislators would allow nontheists this How Powerful Is Religious opportunity, perhaps this would help to dispel at least some of the prejudice against Broadcasting? religious skeptics. A decision on the case is expected later this year. It should be noted that, in a separate lawsuit, Dr. Kurtz has also chal- ere's a pledge from John and gram guidance for its members, collects and lenged the use of public funds for the «IIBelinda Yeager of Decatur—they're publishes a variety of arcane information printing and binding of the prayers of the pledging fifty dollars a month for the next on religious broadcasting, and holds an Senate and House chaplains (Kurtz v. year so we can buy that 3-tube color tele- annual convention that earlier this year Kennickell, Case No. 84-2918). • vision camera. Praise the lord! Here's Martin attracted President Ronald Reagan, Vice- Williams of Angola, pledging forty dollars President George Bush, Senator Jesse a month. Bless you, Martin, praise the lord! Helms, Congressman Jack Kemp, Phyllis And here's one from Willy and Edna Ellicott Schlafly, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, and, of Columbia City, for twenty-five dollars of all people, Senator Ted Kennedy. The . . ." Suddenly the TV preacher's brow fact that a convention of just 4,000 delegates Name the Source furrowed as he scrutinized the slip of paper can draw such a prestigious roster of guest _ again. "Oh, not twenty-five dollars a month. speakers attests to the power and vitality of Just twenty-five dollars. Well, um, God bless religious broadcasting in America—power you, Willy and Edna, but our lord Jesus that is being focused against church-state an you identify the sources of Christ will sure smile wider when you make separation in America and across the world. Cthe following quotations? that twenty-five dollars a month." One presentation at the NRB conven- The speaker was a Midwestern televan- tion described a five-year program conducted Almighty God, dear heavenly gelist viewed by accident in a Fort Wayne, jointly by the Catholic church and the Father. In thy name let us now, in Indiana, hotel room. (The names have been government of Brazil that uses electronic pious spirit, begin our instruction. changed to protect the faithful.) But the media to promote massive efforts to place Enlighten us, teach us all truth, 25 million New Testaments in the hands of strengthen us in all that is good, scene was one that anyone can view almost lead us not into temptation, deliver any night of the week in any U.S. television young Brazilians. The primary staging area us from all evil in order that, as market. Some Americans still hold the for distribution of the texts: the Brazilian good human beings, we may faith- stereotype of religious broadcasters as corn- public schools. fully perform our duties and pone hucksters, preaching hellfire and Make no mistake—there is power in thereby, in time and eternity, be salvation-through-donation to audiences for religious broadcasting. But one still wonders: made truly happy. Amen. a few hundred miles around. But this kind how much? Some signs still indicate that of electronic outreach pales beside the the televangelical community has yet to Secular schools can never be aggressive, organized, well-financed, and attain the political muscle it boasts. One tolerated because such a school has fast-growing televangelists like Jerry Falwell, indicator is the Religious Right's track no religious instruction and a general moral instruction without Pat Robertson, and Jim Bakker, whose record during recent elections. Televangelists a religious foundation is built on reach is nationwide and often worldwide. claimed much of the credit for Reagan's air; consequently, all character As a group, they tend to be pro-Reagan, victories in 1980 and 1984 and for the training and religion must be anti-abortion, pro-creationist, anti-gay, and unseating of a few key liberal senators and derived from faith.... We need vituperatively against the amorphous enemy congressmen. But in fact very few of the believing people. known as "secular humanism." But how lawmakers on the Moral Majority "hit list" powerful are today's religious broadcasters? have thus far lost their reelection bids. This The first quotation is the prayer Do they in fact constitute a monolithic at least reassures us that the televangelists that was required by law to be recited "fourth network," as some conservative do not yet control the votes of a plurality of in secondary schools in Germany in commentators have suggested? the voting electorate. the 1930s. In addition to this daily Let's look at the numbers. There are Another sign that religious broadcasters prayer every student was required to 1,043 predominantly religious radio stations have not yet attained the full stature they take two hours of religious instruction in the United States, of which 233 operate hope for is the continuing willingness of per week. on college campuses. They air some 687 some televangelists to exaggerate their size The second quotation comes not different religious programs, produced by and influence. For instance, the conservative from Jerry Falwell or Ronald Reagan 511 organizations. Ninety-two U.S. television weekly Human Events stated in its February but was a statement made by Adolf stations are owned by religious groups or 16, 1985, edition that Pat Robertson's Chris- Hitler on April 26, 1933, to two program a high density of religious material. tian Broadcasting Network (CBN) airs on Roman Catholic officials, Bishop They disseminate some 1,010 different pro- 4,300 cable TV systems. Yet the authoritative Wilhelm Berning and Vicar General grams, including 66 syndicated ministries, Broadcasting 1984 Yearbook credits Robert- Johannes Steinmann, adviser to the produced by 373 organizations. son with only 2,500 cable systems—along German embassy in Rome, during About 80 percent of the nation's reli- with 162 broadcast stations and 60 radio negotiations leading to the Reich-Holy gious broadcasters belong to the 1,100- outlets. See concordat of 1933.—Edd Doerr member National Religious Broadcasters The real numbers are impressive (NRB). NRB provides technical and pro- (Continued on p. 58)

Summer 1985 7 humanists should prefer them to fundamen- BOOKS (Religious Broadcasting, corn'd from p. 7) talists since the Witnesses have no desire to B00KS AT DISC0UNT—and much more. enough. Jim Bakker's PTL Satellite Network have their interpretation of the Bible forced BETTER LIVES is a free forum for the claims 906 cable systems; even Paul Crouch's on the rest of us by legislatures or school exchange of ideas and a discount book cata- Trinity Network is carried on 272 cable boards. log. Send for your free copy today. Better Lives, P.0. Box 569, Cottage Grove, 0R systems and four broadcast stations. 97424. Yet the actual power of religious broad- Joseph A. Arsenault casting remains difficult to gauge. Authori- College Station, Tex. REALITY INSPECT0R. Strange fantasy story tative surveys suggest that the combined about consciousness, chess, computers. $5. John Caris, 56T Westgate, San Francisco, audience for all U.S. religious programs is CA 94127. only about 20 million—contradicting the Praise for FREE INQUIRY claims of some single religious programs to ALTERNATE IDENTITIES. Book $10.00; Dealers Wanted! Discounts to 60%! Book List reach even larger numbers of Americans. A 1 have never seen a magazine come closer to $2 (refundable). TECH-GR0UP, Box 93124, my own particular philosophy, and with such base of 20 million would suggest a cadre of Pasadena, CA 91109. fewer than 10 million devoted viewers and a candor and verve. hard core of perhaps less than a million Come out, come out, all you atheists Used books of libertarian interest. Subjects include atheism, anarchism, Mencken, Rand, whose attitudes and votes are potentially and freethinkers everywhere, before the reli- capitalism. Some first editions. Send stamp gious fanatics, zealots, and born-again molded by religious broadcasters. Yet even to Dunn's Mysteries, 251 Baldwin Ave., that number is about 5 percent of the Christians send us reeling into another Dark Meriden, CT 06450. nation's population. Age. We have so many more weapons on our side that with enough involvement we SECULAR HUMANIST/FREETH0UGHT Based on the facts now confronting us, LITERATURE. 0utstanding material since the best strategy for secular humanists would can surely overcome the simplistic arguments 1968. Modest prices. Free catalog. Inde- seem to be continued vigilance. While it of theists. pendent Publications, Box 162, Park Station, seems unlikely that today's religious broad- Joseph R. Choate III Paterson, NJ 07513. casting establishment has the power to East Brunswick, N.J. AMERICANIZING AMERICA by Frank Rood, restructure America according to its will, $3.00 ppd. There is hope. 611 - 2nd Street, we unquestionably face a richly variegated CLASSIFIED St. Petersburg, FL 33701. and influential adversary, determined to SICK 0F MATERIALISM, waste, and greed? promulgate a philosophy that ultimately RATES Join network developing positive alterna- offends our humanistic views of science, tives. Write: Inquiry, Box 741955, Dallas, TX Per word (single insertion) theology, and the political agenda. Should 75374. 10-word minimum 40 cents the power of religious broadcasting continue 10% discount for placement in 3 con- Used, New books. Variety of subjects. Fifty to grow, as seems likely, the biblical exhor- secutive issues cents for one or more lists, credited to first tation to "know thy enemy" will become Payment for insertion must accom- purchase. Specify subjects. Black Kettle increasingly valuable for secular humanists. pany copy. Books, Deposit, NY 13754. Thomas Flinn All classified ads are accepted at the COMPUTER discretion of the publisher. We are a few free-thinking friends using For additional information and rates Compuserve Easyplex, please join us. ID Nr (Letters, continued from p. 55) for classified display advertising, write: 75216, 2000. FREE INQUIRY EDUCATION Classified Dept. favorably disposed toward the Witnesses. H0ME STUDY COURSE IN EC0N0MICS. You did not. The other article should never Box 5, Central Park Station A 10-lesson study that will throw light on have appeared in a journal that has rational- Buffalo, N.Y. 14215 today's baffling problems. Tuition free — ity as its stated goal. It might well have small charge for materials. Write Henry ASSOCIATIONS been entitled: "Why 1 Don't Like Jehovah's George Institute, 5 E. 44th St., New York, Witnesses"—by a disillusioned former mem- The J0HN ALLEGR0 S0CIETY offers: Intro- NY 10017. duction $1, Synopsis Booklet $4 autographed: ber. H0W CAN I KN0W WHAT T0 BELIEVE? THE CH0SEN PE0PLE $30, Reedville, VA Looking for attractive study program to stim- 1 was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 22539-0206. three years. 1 left because 1 felt that their ulate children's ethical development'? Search- ing for ethical educational materials that theological system (or any system based on SIX RURAL C0MMUNITIES invites visitors/ members. Sane alternative lifestyles! awaken interest and responsibility in children revelation) could not be supported rationally. Equality. Cooperation. Peace. Self- and youth while deepening insight and I still have friends that are members of the supporting. Write ($1.00 postage): Egali- understanding? For free descriptive order list, sect. The idea that 1 might need to use a tarians, Twin 0aks-FQ45, Louisa, VA 23093. write Education Materials, AMERICAN pseudonym when signing this letter to avoid ETHICAL UNI0N, Dept. F, 2 West 64 Street, Atheist information packet free. AMERICAN New York, NY 10023. reprisals is ludicrous. The authors who ATHEISTS P.0. Box 2117 Austin, TX 78768- refused to give their real names are either 9989. FILMS suffering from paranoia or are deliberately The Case of the Texas Footprints. 27- BERTRAND RUSSELL S0CIETY. Informa- trying to play upon the reader's emotions minute color videotape refuting creationist tion: FI, RD1, Box 409, Coopersburg, PA claims that human footprints exist alongside and prejudice. In addition, the articles that 18036. you published give an inaccurate picture of dinosaur tracks in Cretaccous rocks in Jehovah's Witnesses. The truth is that they "EVANGELICAL AGN0STICISM!" Texas. Rental $40; purchase $120. 0rder Free information and logo. from ISHI Films, P.0. Box 2367, Philadelphia, are neither better nor worse than any of the SEA, Box 515íi, Auberry, CA 93602. PA 19103. other Christian sects. In fact, rationalists and e

58 FREE INQUIRY